RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The success of self-directed learning depends mainly on the readiness of students to adapt it to their learning domain. Medical students must meet certain criteria to become self-directed learners, which are also significant components of emotional intelligence (EI). Clarification is required on whether the students are ready for self-directed learning according to their level of EI as soon as they enter the medical institute. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The survey was conducted on first-year MBBS students, between 18 and 21 years of age. Demographic data of the participants was collected. EI was assessed by using the Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT). Fisher's 40-item self-directed learning readiness (SDLR) scale was used to assess the readiness for self-directed learning. Pearson's correlation and regression analysis was carried out to assess the relationship between the two. RESULT: Approximately 71% of students had average EI, whereas only 5% had high EI. However, 63% of students were found to have low SDLR, while just 37% of participants had high SDLR. EI and SDLR both were found to be higher in males. Pearson's correlation "r" between the two parameters shows a strong positive correlation with statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Certain training modules need to be incorporated into the medical education program to improve the EI of medical undergraduate students. Such a module might help in improving the readiness for self-directed learning and prepare the medical undergraduates as active lifelong learners, which is the prime goal for an Indian Medical Graduate according to the new Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Dysregulation of insulin and glucagon secretion alters the normal insulin:glucagon ratio (IGR) in type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. This study explores the scope of construing the role of these two diametrically opposing hormones on the glucose level not just in obesity but in different glucose tolerance states by looking at the hormone levels and at the insulin glucagon bipolar axis itself. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an analytical cross-sectional study of 60 healthy adults consisting of an equal number of adults who are lean and adults who are obese. It was conducted at North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), located in Shillong City, Meghalaya, India. Fasting glucose, insulin, glucagon, and lipids were estimated. Postprandial estimation of glucose was done two hours after oral administration of 75 grams of glucose solution. RESULT: The study demonstrated a state of hyperinsulinemia and hyperglucagonemia prevailing in obesity and all sub-categories of the group of persons who are obese. The study showed a higher fasting IGR in the group consisting of adults who were obese (with a mean of 4.11) when compared with the group of adults who are lean (with a mean of 2.24). Fasting IGR was seen to increase with increasing levels of insulin resistance and increasing impairment in glucose tolerance. IGR showed a positive correlation with the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in the impaired fasting glucose (IFG) category and strongly in the impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) category. CONCLUSION: Hyperglucagonemia in the group of adult persons who are obese indicates a decreased sensitivity of alpha cells to insulin failing insulin to adequately suppress the secretion of glucagon. The study also demonstrated a positive correlation between IGR and HOMA-IR in obesity and all glucose tolerance states of the group of adults who are obese. It is telltale that the sturdier the insulin resistance, the higher the IGR.
